Summary
Highlights
Sara, at 24, decided to volunteer in Israel after being inspired by a classmate's presentation. She saved money by selling various items and working hard. Despite being in her eighth semester of university and having traveled extensively, she left her studies to pursue her dream of connecting with Israeli culture, which she admired through her friends in Medellín.
Sara explains that kibbutzim are agricultural communities where volunteers exchange labor for food and lodging. She worked in gardening and laundry. After five months, she grew tired of the volunteer life and the lack of financial growth. She decided to leave, eventually finding work cleaning businesses in Tel Aviv, where she moved in with an Arab roommate who developed an unsettling infatuation with her. This experience left her feeling depressed and vulnerable.
During her depression, Sara reconnected with Omer, an Israeli friend from Medellin. After a night of drinking, they had unprotected sex. Omer reacted with anger and blocked her, later sending a message clarifying his disapproval of having a non-Jewish child. Sara discovered she was pregnant, a fact she accepted with surprising tranquility. Her mother, while supportive of keeping the baby, offered to raise it herself, leading to future family legal issues.
Pregnant, Sara found work as a masseuse. On her first day, a client named Chai was smitten. She revealed her pregnancy to him, and he kindly offered financial and emotional support, moving in with her and caring for her. Chai, understanding that the baby wasn't his, eventually encouraged her to return to Colombia, an act of foresight that proved crucial as the COVID-19 pandemic hit just days after her return.
Sara returned to Medellín four months pregnant to a mixed reception from her family. Her grandfather criticized her, but her mother was supportive, albeit with intentions to raise the child herself, causing friction. Struggling financially and with a newborn, Sara moved into a humble room. A friend, witnessing her dire situation, suggested she try working as a call girl and a webcam model, acknowledging it was a necessary step for her survival and her daughter's well-being.
Through her new work, Sara met a wealthy American public figure, 33 years her senior. Initially drawn to his kindness and respect, she entered a relationship with him. He supported her financially, buying her a house and two commercial properties. However, the relationship was long-distance and he had a volatile temper, leading Sara to prioritize her peace and stability over the luxurious lifestyle. She ended the relationship, returning all his gifts but keeping the properties.
Four years after her last relationship, Sara met an Italian man in Medellín through Tinder. She was attracted to his down-to-earth nature and his willingness to embrace her daughter. After a period of dating and a brief separation, he called her from Italy and expressed his desire to marry her. Sara moved to Italy and, despite missing her independent life in Colombia, she chose tranquility and a calmer life with him, constantly adapting to a new culture and addressing personal challenges through therapy.
Sara discusses the significant cultural differences between Colombia and Italy, especially regarding celebrations and social interactions. She is learning Italian and adapting to her new life, while also dealing with the challenge of supporting her family and making a new life for herself in Italy, including caring for her husband's grandmother. She remains committed to her decision to prioritize peace and stability over wealth, despite the challenges of starting over in a new country and missing her business ventures in Medellín.